Front end loaders



Aug. 14, 1962 G. k. DEMPSTER ETAL FRONT END LOADERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 10, 1958 INVENTORS GEORGE E. DEMPSTE'R WILL/AM A. HERP/CH M f aw;

ATTORNEYS Aug. 14, 1962 e. R. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,049,254

FRONT END LOADERS Filed March 10, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS GEORGE R DEMPSTER WILL/AM A. HERP/CH g 1962 G. R. DEMPSTER EIAL 3,049,254

FRONT END LOADERS Filed March 10, 1958 r 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS GEORGE R.. DEMPSTER. W/LL/AM .4. HERP/CH ATTORNEYS l by ra nits This invention relates to improvements in front end loaders of the character used for picking up containers at the front of a motor vehicle and dumping the contents therefrom into the body of the vehicle.

It has been proposed heretofore that dumping equipment be mounted on a motor vehicle having a refuse body with a device mounted on the front portion of the vehicle adapted for engagement selectively with containers which may be approached at the front of the vehicle for picking up a container automatically and lifting the container over the front portion of the vehicle and for dumping the contents into the body.

Such containers are frequently provided with filling doors on the ends thereof, hinged for swinging movement toward and from the end walls of the containers. While provisions are often made for latching the doors closed, these are frequently left open, swinging out away from the end walls.

Inasmuch as the lifting arms pick up the container and raise it to an elevated position over the refuse body for dumping, the free outward swinging of the filling doors on the end walls would interfere with the dumping of the container. Consequently, it is very desirable that the end wall doors be closed during the dumping action, but this would require the operator to leave the cab of the vehicle and to walk around the container for manually closing the doors. Such a practice would materially delay the dumping action and make the dumping of the container very time-consuming.

One object of this invention is to overcome the foregoing objections and to improve the construction of the front end loaders and containers used therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the automatic closing of the end Wall filling doors on the container by the lifting arms of the front end loader, without requiring manual action of the operator and to insure that the doors would not interfere with the dumping action.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means on the end wall doors of the container in positions for cooperative relation with the pick-up arms or portions thereof, so as to close the doors and to hold these closed during the dumping action.

These objects may be accomplished, according to one embodiment of the invention, by providing contact plates on the end wall doors in positions for cooperative action with door-closing brackets on the pick-up arms, so that when the arms move into supporting relation with the container, the doors are closed by the engagement of the brackets with the contact plates and are held closed thereby during the dumping operation. The brackets move into engagement with the contact plates on the doors, frictoinally bearing against the latter and thereby swinging the doors closed. The hinged edge of each door should be in a direction toward the side of the container that will face toward the vehicle during the loading operation, whereby the frictional engagement will be sufiicient to force the doors closed.

This embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a front end loader and container in which the present invention is used;

3,049,25 Patented Aug. 14, 1962 FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of the container;

FIG. 3 is a partial end elevation thereof;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a portion of the front end loader and container in positions separated from each other and before movement into engagement;

FIG. 5 is a similar view, showing the lifting arms par tially engaged with the container and the brackets thereof in positions where they initially engage the partially open doors;

FIG. 6 is a similar view, with the parts in full engagement;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of one of the pick-up arms, with parts in section; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view thereof, showing a portion of the container.

The invention is shown as applied to a motor vehicle of conventional form, merely as an example of the type of vehicle on which this loading device may be used. It has been customary heretofore to utilize a vehicle chassis of the character generally indicated by the numeral 1 and which is self-propelled under control of an operator on road mounted wheels, such as the front and rear wheels indicated generally at 2 and 3. The cab is shown at 4 within which the operator is located.

A refuse body is shown at 6. This may be any suitable type of body adapted to receive refuse therein, such as garbage, trash and the like, and may be of the character that is provided with packer means to compress the refuse as it is deposited in the body. It is preferred that a body be used of the type having a filling opening or hopper, indicated at 7, in the top near the front, through which the refuse may be deposited into the body. The character of the body otherwise may be varied as desired.

Referring first to the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the loader structure comprises a pair of lifting arms 8 spaced apart a distance substantially corresponding with the width of the cab 4. These arms 8 are preferably of gooseneck shape or of inverted U-shape, so as to extend over the top and downwardly in front and back of the cab 4 at the front portion of the truck, substantially as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6. The arms should clear the cab fully, but the dimensions of the arms should be kept as reasonably close as practicable to the sides and top of the cab. Each of the arms may be formed of fabricated structure, either square or round in cross section and preferably tubular, for sufficient strength and rigidity and yet lightness in weight, as desired.

The arms 8 extend downward at the back of the cab 4, with their lower ends fixed on a torque tube 9 extending transversely of the vehicle and suitably journaled on the chassis frame 1. Hydraulic power devices, generally indicated at :10, are operatively connected 'with the arms 8 for swinging the latter to different positions, some of which are indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 1.

At the forward end of each lifting arm 8 is a pick-up arm 11 extending forwardly of the vehicle from the outer end of the lifting arm 8 and mounted on a torque tube 12 extending therebetween, as illustrated more in detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. Suitable means may be used for manipulating the pick-up arms '11, such, for example, as hydraulic power devices 13, as described more in detail in our prior application, Serial No. 662,252, filed May 28, 1957. The outer end of each pick-up arm 11 is provided with a retainer 14 for insuring connection with the container.

A container is indicated generally at 15 and may be of any suitable or desired size and shape for receiving and containing refuse and the like. Such containers usually are provided with fork sleeves or channels, generally indicated at 16 on the end walls thereof, open at opposite ends and adapted to receive the pick-up arms 11 therethrough, as will be apparent from FIGS. 1 and 7. Each pick-up arm 11 is preferably tapered lengthwise, as illustrated in FIG. 7, to allow a tolerance in the alignment of the forks and still permit insertion into the fork sleeves or channels 16. The tapered relation will also permit of a greater dumping angle when the container is turned upside down and has come to rest on the tapered arm.

The container 15 may be provided either with an open top or with suitable doors therein which may be opened for dumping of the contents, as described more in detail in our application mentioned above.

The container 15 is usually provided with doors 17 on the end walls thereof, hinged at 18 to the body of the container and having latch means 19 for holding the doors closed. These doors 17 may be opened for filling and should be latched closed at other times, but are frequently left open. In the event that the doors are open when the loader unit moves into pick-up relation with the container, provision is made, according to this invention, for closing the doors and holding them closed during the dumping operation.

This is accomplished by providing a contact plate, indicated at 20, on each door 17, and projecting out at an angle to the face thereof which is tapered, as shown at 29 in FIG. 2. The outward taper should extend in the direction away from the hinged edge of the door. The contact plate 26 is located on the door in a position to be engaged by a door closing bracket 21 carried on the adjacent pick-up arm 11, such, for example, as immediately above the adjacent channel or sleeve 16.

The door closing bracket 21 may be formed integral with the pick-up or fork arm 11, or rigidly secured thereto, extending upward and forward from the arm 11 sufficiently to clear the channel or sleeve 16 and yet to move into engagement with the contact plate 20 if the door 17 should be open. The bracket 21 is elongated in a direction lengthwise of the arm 11 and substantially parallel therewith and may have a forwardly deflected end portion 22 thereon, if desired, as shown in FIG. 8, to facilitate engagement with the contact plate 2! and the smooth closing of the door thereby.

The end wall doors 17 should be hinged at 18 toward the rear wall of the container when turned in a position toward the front of the veln'cle, as viewed in FIG. 1. This will insure that the movement of the pick-up or fork arms 11 toward engagement with the channels or sleeves 16 will be in a direction that will insure the closing of the doors. The rear wall of the container may be provided also, if desired, with a scuff plate, indicated at 23, on the wall of the container in position for engagement by the torquetube 12 as the loader unit moves into engagement with the container. This affords added bearing surface and prevents wear on the rear wall of the container due to engagement with the torque tube therewith.

The action of the device isillustrated diagrammatically in FIGS. 4, and 6. FIG. 4 shows the loader unit approaching the container 15, with the pick-up arms 11 lowered substantially to positions for alignment with the fork sleeves or channels 16. The doors 17 are open. The contact plates 20 on the doors are in positions to be engaged by the brackets 21 as the fork arms 11 move into the channels or sleeves 16.

The latter position is illustrated in FIG. 5, where the doors 17 are shown as having been moved from the position shown in FIG. 4 to partially closed positions by the action of the brackets 21 engaging, the contact plates 20. The continued movement into fully engaged position is illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the torque tube 12 is bearing against the scuff plate 23 and the door closing brackets 21 have pushed the doors to fully closed positions. The container is now ready to be picked up by the loader unit and dumped. 1

The dumping action is accomplished by the operation of the hydraulic power devices which also control the raising and lowering and positions of the arms 8 and. of

the fork arms 11. This dumping action will be apparent from the dotted line positions illustrated in FIG. 1 and has been described more in detail in the above-mentioned patent application, Serial No. 662,252, filed May 28, 1957, to which reference may be made for a more complete description thereof.

During the dumping action, the lugs 14 on the ends of the fork arms 11 engage the ends of the channels or sleeves 16 so as to keep the container securely locked in position on these arms against the possibility of becoming disengaged therefrom when turned to an upside down position. Thus, the container cannot become separated accidentally from the fork arms, but will be retained effectively thereon as it is moved to and from its dumping position.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

We claim:

1. In a front end loader of the character described, the combination with a motor vehicle having a loader unit mounted thereon including a pair of fork arms, of a container having end connections in positions for engagement by the fork arms for lifting the container to an elevated position relative to the motor vehicle, a door on an end of the container mounted for opening movement, and means on at least one of the fork arms for closing the door when the fork arms are moved into substantial engagement with the end connections before raising of the container to said elevated position and for holding the door closed as long as the fork arms remain in substantial engagement with the end connections.

2. In a front end loader of the character described, the combination with a motor vehicle having a loader unit mounted thereon including a pair of fork arms, of a container having end connections in positions for engagement with the fork arms for lifting the container to an elevated position relative to the motor vehicle, a door hinged to an end of the container at an edge of the door toward the motor vehicle, and means on the fork arms for closing the door when the fork arms are moved into engagement with the end connections.

3. In a front end loader of the character described, the combination with a motor vehicle having a loader unit mounted thereon including a pair of fork arms, of a container having end connections in positions for engagement with the fork arms for lifting the container to an elevated position relative to the motor vehicle, a door hinged to the container at an edge of the door toward the motor vehicle, and means connected with the fork arms in a position for closing engagement with the door when the fork arms are moved substantially into operative engagement with the end connections.

4. In a front end loader of the character described, the combination with a motor vehicle having a loader unit mounted thereon including a pair of fork arms, of a container having end connections in positions for engagement with the fork arms for lifting the container to an elevated position relative to the motor vehicle, a door hinged to the container at an edge of the door toward the motor vehicle, said door having a contact plate thereon, and a bracket connected with one of the fork arms in position for engagement with the contact plate when the door is open for moving the door to a closed position with respect thereto.

5. A container for a front end loader having end connections adapted for engagement by a loader unit, said container having a door movably mounted thereon adapted for movement to an open position, and a contact plate on the door and protruding outwardly therefrom in position to be slidably engaged and pushed inwardly with respect to the container'by the loader unit. when the latter moves substantially into engagement with the end connections of the. container, said plate serving to push the door closed and to hold the door closed as long as the loader unit is in substantial engagement with the end connections.

6. A container for a front end loader having end connections adapted for engagement by a loader unit, said container having a door movably mounted thereon adapted for movement to an open position, and a contact plate on the door and protruding outwardly therefrom adjacent the end connections in position to be slidably engaged and pushed inwardly with respect to the container by the loader unit when the latter moves substantially into engagement with the end connections of the container for moving the door to a closed position relative to the container and for holding the door closed as long as the loader unit remains in substantial engagement with the end connections.

7. A container for a front end loader having lifting members on opposite ends thereof for engagement by a loader unit, said container having a door hinged about an upright axis on one of said ends adjacent the lifting member thereof adapted for movement to an open position, and a contact member extending outwardly from the door adjacent the end connection in position for engagement by the loader unit when the latter moves substantially into engagement with the lifting member for moving the door to a closed position relative to the container.

8. In a front end loader of the character described, the combination with a motor vehicle having a loader unit mounted thereon including a pair of fork arms, of a container having end connections in positions for engagement with the fork arms for lifting the container to an elevated position relative to the motor vehicle, a door hinged to the container at an edge of the door toward the motor vehicle, and a door-closing bracket connected with one of the fork arms in the path of the door upon movement of the fork arms into engagement with the end connections for closing the door relative to the container.

9. A container for a front end loader comprising a body portion having sides and opposite ends, connections on the ends adapted for engagement by a loader unit, a door at one end hinged thereto about an upright axis and adapted to swing open in a direction toward said loader unit, and a contact plate having the shape of a wedge and extending outwardly from the door adjacent the end connection in position for engagement by the loader unit when the latter moves substantially into engagement with the end connections of the container for moving the door to a closed position relative to the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,320,350 Summers Oct. 28, 1919 2,135,890 Gedge Nov. 8, 1938 2,256,453 Bomar Sept. 16, 1941 2,624,478 Kaplan Jan. 6, 1953 2,670,865 Merrick Mar. 2, 1954 2,679,326 Isaksen May 25, 1954 2,698,696 Strong Ian. 4, 1955 2,702,142 Jones Feb. 15, 1955 2,732,087 Pratt Jan. 24, 1956 2,808,161 Gentile Oct. 1, 1957 2,824,658 Beasley Feb. 25, 1958 

